Bed-warmer.



G.F.$HEPARD.

BED WARMBR. APPLICATION FILED ABBA, 1912.

1,052,385, Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

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'ArnNr orrion.

BED-WARMER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4,1913.

Application filed April l, 1912. Serial No. 688,418.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GILBERT FERDINAND SHEPARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Dodge City, in the county of Ford and State of Kansas, have made new and useful Improvements in Bed-Warmers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in bed warmers, and has for its object, the provision of a simple, inexpensive device of the character specified, by means of which: heat may be stored from a suitable source of supply and transferred to the bed, warming the bed over an area corresponding approximately to the position occupied by the person using the bed, and which while not' in use may be stored in small compass.

. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement folded; and,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sect-ion of the same in extended position.

The present embodiment of the invention: comprises a plurality of similar telescoping sections, a base to which the outermost sec-; tion is secured, and a cover for the inner-;

most section. The sections 1234- and 5 are cylindrical in form and gradually decrease in size from the outermost section; 1 to the innermost sectlon 5, 1n such manner that the sections fit within each other.

Each of the sections 1 to 5 inclusive is provided at each end with a head 6 and 7 respectively, the bead 6 at the lower or inner end being on the outside of the section, and the bead 7 at the top or outer end being on the inside of the section. That is the bead 6 is offset laterally and inwardly, while the bead 7 is ofl set laterally and outwardly, and a reinforcing wire 8 is arranged in each bead. Each of the beads thus forms an annular rib at the end of the section, and the sections are of such size that the bead 6 of each section fits closely within the preceding section. The section 1 is fitted at its lower end outside of the base 9, the said base being of circular form and of metal or like heat conducting material.

The base 9 is of heat conducting and heat absorbing material, and is provided with a plurality of transverse openings 10, and the section 1 is secured to the base by means of bolts 11. Each of the bolts is passed through the edge of the section, above the bead 6, and through a radial opening 12 in the base, and leading from the periphery thereof to one of the series of openings 10.

A nut 18 is engaged with each bolt in the opening 10. A reinforcing ring 16 encircles the lower end of section 1 at the base, and the bolts 11 pass through the ring also.

The cover 14 is of circular form, and is of greater diameter than section 5, so that the said cover extends beyond the section entirely around the same. The cover is provided with a marginal flange 15, and the said cover is of such size that the flange will fit over the upper end of section 1, when the device is contracted.

A disk 17 of a size to fit within section 5, is connected to the cover, and is arranged on the inner face thereof. Eye bolts 18 are passed through registering openings in the cover and in the disk, and the bolts are on gaged by nuts 19, below the disk. The eye bolts are arranged at diametrically opposite points, and a bail 20, of wire or the like, connects the eyes of the bolts.

The bail 20 is arched upwardly as shown in Fig. 2, and the disk 17 fits below the bead 7, at the upper end of section 5, so that the cover is not easily disengaged from the said section. When the sections 1 to 5 are pushed together, they fit into each other in nested relation, and the flange 15 of the cover fits around the upper end of section 1.

A latching device is provided for holding thecover and section 1 together, when the device is in contracted position. The said device comprises a pair of arms 21 of resilient material, which are arranged at diametrically opposite points on the section, near its upper end. Each arm has its lower end offset inwardly at 22, and the offset end is received between the section and a substantially U-shaped bearing plate 23. V Rivets 24 are passed through the plates 23, the portions 22 of the arms, and the side wall of the section, to hold the parts together, and each arm is provided with a catch 25 at its upper end for engaging the cover 14. When the sections are pushed together, the beads are engaged by the flange 15 of the cover and pushed outwardly, until the upper face of the cover is below the catch.

The upper inner corner of each catch is beveled or inclined, as shown at 26, so that the flange may push the catch outwardly. The device may be of any suitable material, as for instance copper, or sheet iron, and is preferably of about 5 feet in length when extended, that is about the length of the body of an average person.

The beads 6 and 7 limit the expanding movement of the sections by their engagement with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. The sections may slide freely toward each other into the collapsed or nested relation, of Fig. 1, but can move no farther away from each other, than the position of Fig.2.

In operation, the device is placed on a heating stove, or in an oven, in the collapsed condition of Fig. 1, and is permitted to remain in such position until it is thoroughly heated, but not sufliciently to burn or scorch the bedding. It is then grasped by the bail and carried to the bed to be warmed. The air in the device holds the heat, and the openings 10 permit sufficient circulation.

The device is placed in the bed, at the foot, and the latches are released, and the device is extended, by pulling the bail 20 upwardly, toward the head of the bed. The device may be left in this position as long as may be desired, after which it is collapsed, and removed.

I claim 1. A bed warmer comprising a series of similar telescoping sections, means in connection with the sections for permitting them to move freely toward each other into nested relation and for limiting their movement away from each other, the sections decreasing gradually in diameter from one end of the warmer to the other, the largest section having a perforated bottom of heat conducting and heat absorbing material, and a cover having means for engaging the outer end of the smallest section to hold the cover to the section, latches on the largest section for engaging the cover to hold the sections in covered and collapsed condition, and a bail on the cover.

2. A bed warmer comprising a series 01 telescoping sections, means in connection with the sections for permitting them to move freely toward each other into nested relation and for limiting their movement away from each other, the sections decreasing gradually in diameter from one end of the warmer to the other, the largest section having a perforated bottom of heat conducting material, a cover having means for engaging the outer end of. the smallest section to hold the cover to the section, and latches on the largest section for engaging the cover to hold the sections in collapsed condition.

3. A bed warmer comprising a series of telescoping sections, means in connection with the sections for permitting them to move freely toward each other into nested relation and for limiting their movement away from each other, the sections decreasing gradually in diameter from one end of the warmer to the other, the largest section having a perforated bottom, a cover for the outer end of the smallest section, a bail on the cover, and releasable means for holding the sections collapsed in nested relation.

4. A bed warmer comprising a series of telescoping sections, means in connection with the sections for permitting them to move freely toward each other into nested relation and for limiting their movement away from each other, the sections decreasing gradually in diameter from one end of the warmer to the other, the largest section having a perforated bottom, and a cover for the smallest section.

5. A bed warmer comprising a series of telescoping sections, means in connection with the sections for permitting them to be moved freely toward each other into nested relation and .forlimiting their movement away from each other, said sections gradually increasing in diameter from one end of the warmer to the other, the ends of the outermost section being closed, and the said end of the larger section being perforated.

GILBERT FERDINAND SHEPARD.

Witnesses:

TALTER C. BULLocK, LUTHER W. DEVOE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

